Manomet Announces the Winners of the 2024 Neotropical Shorebird Conservation Small Grants

Estero Real Delta, Nicaragua

Nayeli is a biology graduate and has actively participated in several monitoring efforts and in the Central American Waterbird Censuses (CAWC) in Nicaragua. Her project will evaluate shorebird breeding populations in the Estero Real Delta Nature Reserve, a WHSRN Site of International Importance. Shrimp farms have severely transformed this habitat in the last 25 years. In this area, nesting species such as the American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus), the Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus), and the Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) have been documented. Still, the size of their populations and the threats they face are unknown.

Her project, “Assessment of the Resident Shorebird Breeding Populations in the Delta del Estero Real Nature Reserve,” aims to map and band birds at nest sites, train field staff, and involve breeding site managers in shorebird conservation. The results will allow us to generate specific management recommendations for the protection of shorebirds at these sites.

Laguna de La Restinga National Park and Horcón Beach, Margarita Island, Venezuela.

Wilber holds a degree in Marine Biology from the School of Applied Marine Sciences (ECAM) at the Universidad de Oriente (UDO). He is pursuing a Master’s in Ecology at the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research (IVIC) and is affiliated as a PAI researcher with the Laboratory of Organismal Biology at IVIC’s Center for Ecology. His research focuses on shorebird conservation in Venezuela, emphasizing the protection of the Wilson’s Plover ( Anarhynchus wilsonia cinnamominus), a key regional subspecies. His work will evaluate human and mammalian disturbances on the reproductive success of this species in five locations in the southwest of Margarita Island, a critical breeding site. The project includes nest characterization based on detected disturbances and community workshops to raise awareness about the importance of conserving this species.

The project, titled “Reproductive Success of Anarhynchus wilsonia cinnamominus and Anthropogenic Interactions on Margarita Island, Venezuela,” aims to generate crucial knowledge to mitigate threats and ensure the survival of these shorebirds.

Ceuta Beach, Mexico

Ariadna, a biology graduate from Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, has collaborated on projects at the WHSRN site Ceuta Beach. Her project, titled “Temporal Variation in Invertebrate Abundance as a Limiting Factor for Growth and Survival of Shorebirds’ Chicks,” aims to evaluate whether there is temporal variation in the abundance of food sources for chicks in two shorebird species (Anarhynchus nivosus and Anarhynchus Wilson) and how it is associated with their growth and survival at Ceuta Beach. 

Her work involves sampling invertebrates using various trapping techniques in breeding areas and tracking chick growth and survival to understand food availability’s role in limiting survival. The results will guide habitat restoration and management for shorebirds in this critical breeding site. 

Mataquito-Huenchullamí Wetlands, Chile

Jesús Díaz Morales, a Forest Engineer with a degree in Natural Resources from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, has grown up connected to nature in central Chile. His focus spans mammals, amphibians, and birds throughout the country. Since 2020, he has worked with camera traps for mammal studies, and beginning in 2021, he has volunteered for various monitoring programs, such as MSP, CNAA, and CCAP, at the WHSRN site Mataquito-Huenchullamí. He has also investigated the reproductive success of the American Oystercatcher and Snowy Plover on beaches of his region, as well as the threats affecting them. 

His project, “The American Oystercatcher: Uncovering the Causes of Reproductive Failure,” will seek to identify the causes of egg and chick loss, characterize loss patterns, and determine times of most significant risk. The objective is to design evidence-based protection measures for the site, which has a historical record of more than 1,000 American Oystercatchers, representing a key area for this species and other shorebirds in Chile. 

Santa María Island, Biobío Region, Chile

Felipe, a Veterinarian from Universidad San Sebastián and a Master of Science in Zoology from Universidad de Concepción, works on shorebird conservation on Santa María Island, home to 148 bird species, including 37 shorebird species. Despite its ecological importance, this island lacks consistent monitoring efforts. 

His project, “Birdwatching, Citizen Science, and Integrated Conservation to Understand Neotropical Shorebird Ecology,” aims to promote the conservation of this important insular ecosystem in central Chile. The initiative includes developing local birding guides, fostering birdwatching, holding shorebird banding workshops, and collecting key data for shorebird protection. 

Lachay National Reserve, Peru

Mariamercedes, a biologist from Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, and Jesús, a Bachelor of Ecotourism Engineering from Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal, will investigate the population dynamics of the Tawny-throated Dotterel (Oreopholus ruficollis) in Lachay National Reserve. This area has lacked long-term studies on this species in Peru. 

Their project, titled “Abundance and Seasonality of the Tawny-throated Dotterel in Lachay National Reserve,” involves biweekly censuses over a year to document abundance and seasonal variations. They will also analyze the impact of environmental variables and threats on the population. This work will provide the foundation for a long-term monitoring program and potentially recognize Lachay as a WHSRN site of regional importance. 

Mariamercedes, a biologist from Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, and Jesús, a Bachelor of Ecotourism Engineering from Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal, will investigate the population dynamics of the Tawny-throated Dotterel (Oreopholus ruficollis) in Lachay National Reserve. This area has lacked long-term studies on this species in Peru. 

Their project, titled “Abundance and Seasonality of the Tawny-throated Dotterel in Lachay National Reserve,” involves biweekly censuses over a year to document abundance and seasonal variations. They will also analyze the impact of environmental variables and threats on the population. This work will provide the foundation for a long-term monitoring program and potentially recognize Lachay as a WHSRN site of regional importance. 

São Paulo State, Brazil 

Karina leads a monitoring and reproduction project for the American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus), listed as “Vulnerable” in São Paulo State. She is part of the “Shorebird Project of São Paulo Coast,” she coordinates Brazil’s World Migratory Bird Day for Environment for the Americas and volunteers with Wader Quest Brazil. 

Her project, “Monitoring and Conservation of the Threatened American Oystercatcher Population in Central and Southern São Paulo Coast, Brazil,” includes banding individuals, studying reproductive biology, weekly monitoring, and activities to promote awareness about this species at the site. The data collected will inform the future management of the “Taniguá Beach Wildlife Refuge” and other protected beaches in the region. 

Valdés Península, Argentina

Joanna is a biologist, a high school teacher in Puerto Madryn, and a PhD candidate at the National University of Mar del Plata. Her project, entitled “Reproductive Ecology Traits of Haematopus palliatus and Charadrius falklandicus with a Conservation Focus in the WHSRN Site Valdés Peninsula, Patagonia Argentina,” aims to expand knowledge about the reproductive ecology of these birds and address the threats they face. Fieldwork will occur at the WHSRN Site Golfo San José on Península Valdés, Chubut. It includes censuses, characterization of nesting habitats, nest monitoring, identification of threats, and training of human resources. With this information, Joanna seeks to design local conservation strategies essential in the context of global shorebird declines due to habitat loss, pollution, and climate change.  

This program is made possible by the generous support of our donors, the March Conservation Fund, the United States Forest Service (USFS), and supporters who share our passion for protecting shorebirds and their habitats.